CHAN 2022 – Soualiho Haidara: "Score first to unsettle Algeria"

Ivory Coast have made it through to the knockout phase, where they will face Algeria. What is it like to play the host nation?

Souhalio Haidara: We have taken a step forward, just like Algeria. The group-stage statistics speak in their favour. Three matches, three wins. They will be a tough opponent and we are preparing accordingly. We are only focused on reaching the semi-final.

You finished the group stage strongly, scoring three goals. Do you think your team can maintain that momentum?

The message won't change. We talk to the players so they stay focused. The aim is for the players to do even better than what they produced against Uganda. We don't want to put pressure on them.

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What is Algeria's weak point?

Algeria are a side who don't score many. We saw that in the group stage. We will make the effort not to concede, to cause them problems.

The match will be played in front of a sell-out crowd firmly behind Algeria. There are also the weather conditions. How do you manage these factors?

The only thing to manage is the players' mindset. An athlete's first opponent is stress. You have to turn that stress into motivation. If we are mentally ready to face that atmosphere, we will be able to give our best.

What will be the keys to the match?

Souhalio Haidara: Every coach's wish is to start with 11 and finish with 11. We will first have to avoid actions that could leave us playing with fewer men. We will have to put on a show. The keys will be composure and also efficiency in front of goal. We used the matches against Senegal and DR Congo to get the result against Uganda. We will also have to be switched on at set pieces, because we have seen that Algeria are effective in that area. We will do our utmost to score first, to see how the Algerian side responds in that situation. They have never been behind, so it could unsettle them.